Buruli Ulcer research results presented

The findings of a 10-year study were presented by Centre Pasteur in Yaounde on March 9, 2015.

Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a skin disease that affects mostly children in humid tropical areas. Buruli is transmitted by insects, environment and water, though researchers still want to understand more. The disease continues to remain a public health problem in Cameroon.

It is in this light that a conference on the theme, “Global health and multidisciplinary approach for research: Example of Buruli Ulcer,” took place at the Centre Pasteur Cameroun in Yaounde on Monday March 9, 2015.

The conference brought together scientists from the Pasteur network from France and Cameroon. The objective was to discuss the results of a 10-year study on Buruli.

Prof. Arnaud Fontanet of Institut Pasteur, Paris said because the disease is painless, people often come to the hospital when it is late. He said the purpose of the meeting was for the experts to understand better how people get infected.

He said in Cameroon, Buruli Ulcer is found in big rivers in Akonolinga in the Centre and Bankim in Adamawa Regions. He further explained that some insects in these big rivers have tested positive to Buruli Ulcer.

Also, there are some insects in homes around the riverine areas which are positive to Buruli. “But we don’t know whether they infect humans by biting or crawling on them,” he noted. Prof. Arnaud Fontanet admitted that a lot has been done on Buruli research, but much remains to be done.

The conference took place in the presence of the President of the Board of Directors of the Institut Pasteur, Paris, Rose Marie Van Lerberghe, who is on a visit to the Centre Pasteur Cameroun.